Method and System for Controlling Access of CSG in Dual-Connection Architecture

ABSTRACT

The present document discloses a method and a system for controlling access of a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) in a dual-connection architecture. The method includes: a base station acquiring CSG identity state information of a user equipment (UE); and the base station determining a CSG access policy of the UE according to the acquired CSG identity state information of the UE.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is the U.S. National Phase application of PCTapplication number PCT/CN2014/083248 having a PCT filing date of Jul.29, 2014, and which claims the priority of Chinese patent application201410148172.3 filed on Apr. 14, 2014, the disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field of radiocommunication, in particular to a method and a system for controllingaccess of a CSG in a dual-connection architecture.

BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

With the development of wireless multimedia service, the demands ofpeople for high data rate and good user experience are graduallyincreasing, and thus higher requirements are made on system capacity andcoverage of the traditional cellular network. In the traditional LongTerm Evolution (LTE) cellular network, a macro base station is used as aunique access side network element to provide an access service for UserEquipment (UE). In order to satisfy the demands of users for higher datarate and improve the spectral efficiency of the cellular network, 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) introduces a Low Power Node (LPN)as a supplement to the macro base station to provide the access servicefor the UE. LPN has the features of low cost, low power consumption,easy deployment and the like. Usually, there are two deploymentscenarios, i.e., hot-spot deployment and enhanced coverage, the datarate of high-rate data services in indoor and outdoor hot-spot areas canbe effectively improved, and the coverage of the remote area or celledge is improved. Usually, LPN may also be called a small base station,such as a Home eNB (HeNB), a picocell (pico), a Remote Radio Unit/RemoteRadio Head (RRU/RRH), a Relay Node (RN) or the like. Under the hot-spotdeployment scenario, in order to get higher data rate and spectralefficiency, a great number of small base stations need to be denselydeployed in an area. However, since the coverage range of small cellsunder the small base stations is relatively small, the probability ofhandover failure increases when a UE moving at medium and high speedpasses through the small base stations, and consequently the UE servicecontinuity is influenced. In order to improve the UE mobilityperformance after the small cells are introduced, the industry putsforward a method for providing higher data rate and satisfying userelectricity saving demands by the way that a certain base station (suchas a macro base station) guarantees the fundamental coverage, the UEalways keeps a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with the certainbase station and the small cell is only used as a Transmission Point(TP). In this system architecture, the UE keeps the connections with atleast two base stations and uses the radio resources under the two basestations, such that cross-node radio resource aggregation can berealized. This architecture is usually called a dual-connectionarchitecture, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In the two base stationsconnected with the UE, one base station which has a certain managementand control capability is usually called a Master eNB (MeNB) and theother base station is called a Secondary eNB (SeNB). After the UEaccesses the MeNB, the dual connection may be realized through an SeNBadding process. After the SeNB is successfully added, a series ofmanagement such as SeNB modification, SeNB deletion and SeNB change andthe like may be performed on the SeNB, herein SeNB modification refersto modifying parameters when the UE accesses the SeNB, and SeNB changerefers to deleting the SeNB and adding a new SeNB.

In the dual-connection architecture, a user plane has three possiblearchitectures. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in architecture option 1, anS1-U interface between a base station and a Serving Gateway (SGW) isterminated at an MeNB and an SeNB; in architecture option 2, the S1-Uinterface is terminated at the MeNB, and at a Radio Access Network (RAN)side there is no bearer separation; and in architecture option 3, theS1-U interface is terminated at the MeNB, and at the RAN side there isbearer separation, e.g., after downlink data in Evolved Packet System(EPS) bearers arrive at the MeNB, a part of data in one bearer may beseparated to the SeNB and then are transmitted to the UE by the SeNB.According to the user plane protocol stack architecture of the SeNB, theabove-mentioned three architectures may be further divided. At present,the dual connection may adopt architecture 1A in architecture option 1or architecture 3C in architecture option 3. Architecture 1A asillustrated in FIG. 3 adopts architecture option 1, and the user planeprotocol stack on the SeNB has an independent Packet Data ConvergenceProtocol (PDCP) layer and protocol layers below, and there is no bearerseparation. Architecture 3C as illustrated in FIG. 4 adopts architectureoption 3, and the user plane protocol stack on the SeNB has anindependent Radio Link Control (RLC) protocol layer and protocol layersbelow.

In another aspect, in the dual-connection architecture, an HeNB ispossibly used as an MeNB or SeNB. Due to the requirement that the HeNBonly provides services for specific users, a concept of ClosedSubscriber Group (CSG) is introduced, and each CSG has a uniqueidentifier, i.e., CSG ID. In LTE, cells of three different access modesare defined for the HeNB, i.e., CSG cell (which corresponds to a closedmode HeNB and can be accessed by a UE which is registered as a member ofthe CSG), hybrid cell (which corresponds to a hybrid mode HeNB and canbe accessed by any terminal, but the UE which is registered as themember of the CSG can access with an identity of higher-prioritymember), open cell (which corresponds to an open mode HeNB and can beaccessed by any UE). The access mode and the CSG ID of the HeNB can beknown through air interface broadcasting. If the HeNB does not broadcastthe CSG ID and the CSG indication, the cell is an open cell; if the HeNBbroadcasts the CSG ID and the CSG indication with a value of “true”, thecell is a CSG cell; and if the HeNB broadcasts the CSG ID and the CSGindication with a value of “false”, the cell is a hybrid cell. A corenetwork element and a UE respectively store CSG subscriptioninformation, including a CSG ID list that the users can access withidentities of members. Under the scenario of HeNB existing in thedual-connection architecture, CSG related functions need to besupported, for example, access control based on CSG member identities.For a closed cell, a UE with member identity can only be allowed toaccess, and for a hybrid cell, whether the UE is a member or anon-member needs to be determined and the base station needs to performcorresponding admission control or rate control aiming at differentmember identities. However, there is no CSG access control method aimingat the scenario of HeNB existing in the dual-connection architecture inthe existing art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the technical problem existing at present, theembodiments of the present invention provide a method and a system forcontrolling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architecture.

The embodiment of the present invention provides a method forcontrolling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architecture, themethod includes:

a base station acquiring CSG identity state information of a UE; and

the base station determining a CSG access policy of the UE according tothe acquired CSG identity state information of the UE.

The embodiment of the present invention provides a system forcontrolling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architecture, thesystem includes:

a communication module configured to acquire CSG identity stateinformation of a UE; and

a control module configured to determine a CSG access policy of the UEaccording to the acquired CSG identity state information of the UE.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides acomputer-readable storage medium, the storage medium includes a group ofcomputer-executable instructions which are used for implementing themethod for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architecturedescribed in the embodiment of the present invention.

The method and the system for controlling access of a CSG in adual-connection architecture provided by the embodiments of the presentinvention can guarantee that CSG access control or member identityverification functions can be correctly implemented under a situationthat an HeNB is used in the dual-connection architecture, such that theUE in the dual-connection architecture can access the HeNB with acorrect CSG identity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a dual-connection architecturein the related art;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a dual-connection user planearchitecture in the related art;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of dual-connection user planearchitecture 1A in the related art;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of dual-connection user planearchitecture 3C in the related art;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method for controlling access of aCSG in a dual-connection architecture provided by the embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of embodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of embodiment 5 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of embodiment 6 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a structural schematic diagram of components of asystem for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architectureprovided by the embodiment of the present invention.

SPECIFIED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The technical solution of the present invention will be furtherdescribed below in detail in combination with the drawings and thespecific embodiments.

The embodiment of the present invention provides a method forcontrolling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architecture. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, the method mainly includes:

In step 501, a base station acquires CSG identity state information of aUE.

In step 502, the base station determines a CSG access policy of the UEaccording to the acquired CSG identity state information of the UE.

Herein, the base station acquiring the CSG identity state information ofthe UE includes:

the base station acquires the CSG identity state information of the UEfrom a Mobile Management Entity (MME);

and/or the base station acquires the CSG identity state information fromthe UE;

and/or the base station self-determines the CSG identity stateinformation of the UE.

The base station acquiring the CSG identity state information of the UEfrom the MME includes:

the base station receives the CSG identity state information of the UEtransmitted by the MME through an S1 interface message, and herein theS1 interface message is:

an Evolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) RadioAccess Bearer (E-RAB) modification acknowledgment message;

or a path transfer request acknowledgment message;

or a newly-added S1 message.

Herein, the base station is an MeNB or an SeNB.

The base station determining the CSG access policy of the UE accordingto the acquired CSG identity state information of the UE includes:

the MeNB determines whether the UE can access the SeNB according to theCSG identity state information;

or the MeNB determines whether the UE accesses the SeNB with an identityof a member or a non-member according to the CSG identity stateinformation;

or the SeNB determines whether the UE can access the SeNB according tothe CSG identity state information;

or the SeNB determines whether the UE accesses the SeNB with an identityof a member or a non-member according to the CSG identity stateinformation.

Preferably, after the MeNB determines that the UE can access the SeNB orthe UE accesses the SeNB with an identity of a member or a non-memberaccording to the CSG identity state information, the method furtherincludes: the MeNB transmits the CSG identity state information to theSeNB;

or,

after the SeNB determines that the UE can access the SeNB or the UEaccesses the SeNB with an identity of a member or a non-member accordingto the CSG identity state information, the method further includes:

the SeNB transmits the CSG identity state information to the MeNB.

Preferably, the MeNB or SeNB determining whether the UE can access theSeNB according to the CSG identity state information further includes:

if determining that the UE can access the SeNB, the MeNB initiates anadding process of the SeNB;

or if determining that the UE cannot access the SeNB, the MeNB does notinitiate the adding process of the SeNB;

or if determining that the UE cannot access the SeNB, the SeNB refusesan SeNB adding request transmitted by the MeNB.

A message for the SeNB refusing the adding request contains a causevalue indicating that the SeNB refuses to be added or the CSG identitystate information of the UE.

Preferably, the MeNB transmits CSG related information to the SeNB inthe adding process of the SeNB.

Preferably, the MeNB transmitting the CSG related information to theSeNB in the adding process of the SeNB includes:

the MeNB transmits the CSG related information to the SeNB through anSeNB adding request message of an X2 interface; and the CSG relatedinformation includes at least one of the following: a CSG identitystate, a CSG identifier and an access mode.

Before the base station acquiring the CSG identity state information ofthe UE, the method further includes:

the base station transmits an S1 message to the MME to request the MMEto transmit the CSG identity state information of the UE.

The method further includes:

the MeNB requests the MME to transmit the CSG identity state informationof the UE before the SeNB is added;

or the MeNB requests the MME to transmit the CSG identity stateinformation of the UE after the SeNB is added;

or the SeNB requests the MME to transmit the CSG identity stateinformation of the UE after receiving the SeNB adding requesttransmitted by the MeNB;

or the SeNB requests the MME to transmit the CSG identity stateinformation of the UE after the SeNB is added.

The S1 message is:

an E-RAB modification indication message;

or a path transfer request message;

or a newly-added S1 message.

The S1 message includes at least one of the following:

a CSG identifier, an access mode, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)identifier, a CSG identity state, an identifier of a base stationcorresponding to the CSG identifier, E-RAB information and MeNB or SeNBindication information.

The PLMN identifier is a current serving PLMN identifier of the UE or aPLMN identifier selected by the UE under the SeNB.

The MeNB or SeNB indication information indicates that the base stationcorresponding to the CSG identifier is an MeNB or an SeNB.

The method further includes: the base station transmits the CSGidentifier and associated information of a bearer of the UE to the MME,and herein the CSG identifier and the associated information of thebearer of the UE include a CSG identifier and corresponding bearerinformation of the UE accessing through a cell where the CSG is located.

Before the base station acquiring the CSG identity state information ofthe UE, the method may further include:

the MME determines the CSG identity state information of the UEaccording to CSG subscription information of the UE;

and/or the MME verifies validity of the CSG identifier and/or the accessmode in the S1 message.

The CSG identity state information includes:

a CSG identity state, herein the CSG identity state is a member or anon-member;

and/or access allowance or disallowance indication information;

and/or compliance or incompliance indication information, herein thecompliance or incompliance indication information indicates that the CSGidentity state of the UE verified by the MME is compliant or incompliantwith the CSG identity state received by the MME in the request messagetransmitted by the base station;

and/or a CSG identifier.

The CSG identity state is a default CSG identity state, or a CSGidentity state reported by the UE through an air interface, or a CSGidentity state which is the same as the CSG identity state of the UEaccessing the MeNB, or a CSG identity state transmitted by the MME andreceived by the base station.

Herein, the MeNB and/or the SeNB is an HeNB.

The following method embodiments are applicable to both dual-connectionuser plane architecture 1A and 3C. If the MeNB or the SeNB is an openmode HeNB, it can be considered as a macro eNB. The HeNB with theidentity of the MeNB or the SeNB may be connected with the MME throughan HeNB GW, and the S1 message interacted between the MME and theMeNB/SeNB is forwarded through the HeNB GW. The HeNB with the identityof the MeNB or the SeNB may be connected with another base stationthrough an X2 GW, and the X2 message interacted between the MeNB/SeNBand the other base station and the X2 message interacted between theMeNB and the SeNB may be forwarded through the X2 GW. The embodiments ofthe technical solution will be further described below in detail incombination with the drawings.

Embodiment 1

This embodiment describes a method for initiating CSG access control oridentity verification by an MeNB before an SeNB is added. FIG. 6 is aflowchart of the method provided by this embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the method provided by this embodiment includes the followingsteps:

In step 601, an MeNB determines to initiate an SeNB adding process forUE based on a Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement report of theUE. In this embodiment, the SeNB is an HeNB, and the RRM measurementreport of the UE contains a CSG identity state of the UE in a CSG/hybridcell of the SeNB, or reports a PLMN ID list indicating that the UE has amember identity in the CSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB. The measurementreport of the UE contains PCI/ECGI of the SeNB, the MeNB may know anaccess mode of the SeNB according to the PCI/ECGI, and the measurementreport of the UE further contains CSG ID of a cell under the SeNB.Deployment of the MeNB and the SeNB may be divided into the followingseveral situations:

1) the MeNB is a macro eNB and the SeNB is a hybrid or closed mode HeNB;

2) both the MeNB and the SeNB are hybrid or closed mode HeNBs, and CSGIDs of the MeNB and the SeNB are different; and

3) both the MeNB and the SeNB are hybrid or closed mode HeNBs, and CSGIDs of the MeNB and the SeNB are the same.

Under the situation 1) or 2), the MME needs to perform CSG accesscontrol or member identity verification; and under the situation 3), theMeNB directly initiates the SeNB adding process and the MME does notneed to perform the CSG access control or member identity verification,but the UE accesses the SeNB with the same CSG identity state of the UEin the CSG/hybrid cell of the MeNB, i.e., subsequent steps 602 and 603are skipped.

In step 602, if the MME needs to perform the CSG access control ormember identity verification, the MeNB needs to acquire the CSG identitystate of the UE in the CSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB from the MME todetermine whether the UE can access the SeNB or whether the UE accessesthe SeNB with an identity of a member or a non-member. The MeNBtransmits an S1 message to request the MME to perform the CSG accesscontrol or member identity verification, and the S1 message may be anewly-added S1 interface message such as a CSG member identity requestmessage. The request message may contain a CSG ID, an access mode, aPLMN identifier, a CSG identity state and a base station identifiercorresponding to the CSG ID. Herein, the CSG identity state may be a CSGidentity state reported by the UE, the CSG ID is a CSG identifier of theCSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB, and the access mode is the access mode ofthe SeNB cell, and may be hybrid or closed, or is indicated by the CSGor is a closed mode by default under the situation that the access modeis not included. The base station identifier corresponding to the CSG IDis the eNB ID of the SeNB. In addition, the request message may containE-RAB information of the UE which is to be transferred to the SeNB, suchas one or more E-RAB IDs.

In step 603, the MME judges whether the UE can access the CSG/hybridcell of the SeNB or whether the member identity of the UE is a member ora non-member according to the CSG subscription information of the UEacquired from the HSS (e.g., acquired from the CSG member identityresponse message of the HSS). Alternatively, the MME further performsthe verification of the CSG ID and/or access mode to verify the validityof the CSG ID and/or access mode of the CSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB. Ifthe request message received by the MME contains the E-RAB information,the MME may use the CSG ID and the corresponding E-RAB information for apurpose of subsequently charging. The MME transmits the verified CSGidentity state information of the UE to the MeNB through the S1 message.The CSG identity state information includes a CSG identity state whichis a member or a non-member, or access allowance or disallowanceindication information, or compliance or incompliance indicationinformation, herein the compliance or incompliance indicationinformation indicates that the CSG identity state of the UE verified bythe MME is compliant or incompliant with the identity state in thereceived request message.

In step 604, the MeNB determines whether to add an SeNB for the UEaccording to the received CSG identity state information. If the mode ofthe SeNB cell is a closed mode and the CSG identity state informationindicates that the UE is a member in the CSG cell of the SeNB orcontains access allowance indication information, the SeNB may be added;and if the CSG identity state information indicates that the UE is anon-member in the CSG cell of the SeNB or contains access disallowanceindication information, the SeNB is not added. If the mode of the SeNBcell is a hybrid mode and the CSG identity state information indicatesthat the UE is a member or a non-member in the hybrid cell of the SeNB,correspondingly the UE accesses the SeNB with an identity of a member ora non-member. If the MeNB determines to perform the adding of the SeNB,an SeNB adding request message is transmitted to the SeNB and themessage at least contains the CSG identity state of the UE in the SeNBcell.

In step 605, the SeNB determines whether to accept the SeNB addingrequest, e.g., according to the current load situation. If the SeNBadding request is accepted, a resource reservation is made according tothe E-RAB information in the adding request and an SeNB adding requestacknowledgment message is transmitted to the MeNB, and the message maycontain air interface radio resource configuration information.

In step 606, if air interface configuration information change of the UEis involved, the MeNB transmits an RRC connection reconfigurationmessage to the UE to instruct the UE to perform air interfacereconfiguration. After the UE completes the air interfacereconfiguration, an RRC reconfiguration completion message is replied tothe MeNB. Then, the MeNB transmits an SeNB reconfiguration completionmessage to the SeNB to indicate that new radio air interfaceconfiguration has been successfully completed.

If data forwarding is needed, a corresponding data forwarding processmay be performed between the MeNB and the SeNB. If dual-connection userplane architecture A1 is adopted, the MeNB initiates a user plane pathupdate process to the MME to update S1-U user plane paths of partialbearers on the SGW. Under the situation that the dual-connection userplane architecture 1A or 3C is adopted, if the request message receivedby the MME in step 602 does not contain E-RAB information, the MeNB maytransmit the CSG ID of the SeNB and the corresponding E-RAB informationof the UE to the MME through the S1 message for a purpose ofsubsequently charging after the SeNB is added, e.g., through an E-RABmodification indication message or path transfer request message in auser plane path update process.

Embodiment 2

This embodiment describes a method for initiating CSG access control oridentity verification by an MeNB after an SeNB is added. FIG. 7 is aflowchart of the method provided by this embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the method provided by this embodiment includes the followingsteps:

In step 701, an MeNB determines to initiate an SeNB adding process for aUE based on an RRM measurement report of the UE. In this embodiment, theSeNB is an HeNB, and the RRM measurement report of the UE contains a CSGidentity state of the UE in a CSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB, or reports aPLMN ID list indicating that the UE has a member identity in theCSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB. The measurement report of the UE containsPCI/ECGI of the SeNB, the MeNB may know an access mode of the SeNBaccording to the PCI/ECGI, and the measurement report of the UE furthercontains CSG ID of a cell under the SeNB. If both the MeNB and the SeNBare hybrid or closed mode HeNBs and CSG IDs of the MeNB and the SeNB arethe same, the MeNB directly initiates the SeNB adding process and the UEaccesses the SeNB with the same CSG identity state of the UE in theCSG/hybrid cell of the MeNB. If the SeNB is a hybrid mode HeNB (exceptthe situation that the MeNB is also an HeNB and has the same CSG ID asthe SeNB), the MeNB determines that the UE can firstly access the SeNBwith the default CSG identity state or the CSG identity state reportedby the UE, and then a CSG member identity verification result isacquired from an MME.

In step 702, if the MeNB determines that the UE can access the SeNB, theMeNB transmits an SeNB adding request message to the SeNB, herein theSeNB adding request message at least contains a CSG identity state toindicate that the UE accesses the SeNB with an identity of a member or anon-member. The CSG identity state may be a default CSG identity state,or a CSG identity state which is the same as the CSG identity state ofthe UE in the CSG/hybrid cell of the MeNB, or a CSG identity statereported by the UE, herein the default CSG identity state is anon-member identity.

In step 703, the SeNB determines whether to accept the SeNB addingrequest, e.g., according to the current load situation. If the SeNBadding request is accepted, a resource reservation is made according tothe E-RAB information in the adding request and an SeNB adding requestacknowledgment message is transmitted to the MeNB, and the message maycontain air interface radio resource configuration information.

In step 704, if air interface configuration information change of the UEis involved, the MeNB transmits an RRC connection reconfigurationmessage to the UE to instruct the UE to perform air interfacereconfiguration. The UE performs cell synchronization and random accesswith the SeNB and performs air interface reconfiguration, and then anRRC reconfiguration completion message is replied to the MeNB. Then, theMeNB transmits an SeNB reconfiguration completion message to the SeNB toindicate that new radio air interface configuration has beensuccessfully completed.

In step 705, if data forwarding is needed, a corresponding dataforwarding process may be performed between the MeNB and the SeNB. TheMeNB transmits an E-RAB modification indication message (othernewly-added S1 messages may also be adopted) to the MME to request theMME to perform a CSG check, i.e., CSG access control or member identityverification, herein the message may include the following information:a CSG identifier, an access mode, a CSG identity state, a PLMN ID andbase station identifier information of the SeNB. Herein, the CSGidentity state is received by the SeNB in the message in step 702, i.e.,the CSG identity state may be a default CSG identity state, or a CSGidentity state reported by the UE or a CSG identity state which is thesame as the CSG identity state of the UE in the MeNB. If the user planearchitecture 1A is adopted, the message is used for user plane pathupdate and contains the E-RAB information which is to be transferred tothe SeNB.

In step 706, the MME judges whether the UE can access the CSG/hybridcell of the SeNB or whether the member identity is a member or anon-member according to the CSG subscription information of the UEacquired from the HSS. Alternatively, the MME further performs theverification of the CSG ID and access mode to verify the validity of theCSG ID and/or access mode of the CSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB. Inaddition, after the MME receives the E-RAB modification indicationmessage, the CSG ID and the corresponding E-RAB information contained inthe message may be used for a purpose of subsequently charging. The MMEperforms subsequent interaction with the SGW and informs the SGW aboutS1-U tunnel information of the SeNB. Then, the MME transmits theverified CSG identity state information of the UE to the MeNB through anE-RAB modification acknowledgment message. The CSG identity stateinformation includes a CSG identity state which is a member or anon-member; or access allowance or disallowance indication information;or compliance or incompliance indication information, herein thecompliance or incompliance indication information indicates that the CSGidentity state of the UE verified by the MME is compliant or incompliantwith the identity state in the received request message.

In step 707, if the CSG identity state received by the MeNB from the MMEis different from the identity state carried in the message in step 702,the CSG identity state of the UE in the SeNB is updated, and the CSGidentity state received from the MME in step 706 is transmitted to theSeNB. Specifically, the CSG identity state may be transmitted through anSeNB modification request message. Alternatively, the message mayfurther contain updated UE Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate (UE-AMBR) for theSeNB. After the SeNB receives the CSG identity state, the CSG identitystate of the UE in the SeNB is correspondingly updated.

Embodiment 3

This embodiment describes a method for initiating CSG access control oridentity verification by an SeNB in an SeNB adding process. FIG. 8 is aflowchart of the method provided by this embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the method provided by this embodiment includes the followingsteps:

In step 801, an MeNB determines to initiate an SeNB adding process forUE based on an RRM measurement report of the UE. In this embodiment, theSeNB is an HeNB, and the RRM measurement report of the UE contains a CSGidentity state of the UE in a CSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB, or reports aPLMN ID list indicating that the UE has a member identity in theCSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB. The measurement report of the UE containsPCI/ECGI of the SeNB, the MeNB may know an access mode of the SeNBaccording to the PCI/ECGI, and the measurement report of the UE furthercontains CSG ID of a cell under the SeNB.

In step 802, the MeNB initiates the SeNB adding process for the UE andtransmits an SeNB adding request message to the SeNB. Alternatively, theSeNB adding request message contains CSG identity state information. TheCSG identity state information may be a CSG identity state reported bythe UE, or a default CSG identity state, or an identity state which isthe same as the identity state of the UE in the MeNB. For example, underthe situation that both the MeNB and the SeNB are hybrid or closed modeHeNBs and CSG IDs of the MeNB and the SeNB are the same, the MME doesnot need to perform CSG access control or member identity verification,the UE accesses the SeNB with the same CSG identity state in theCSG/hybrid cell of the MeNB, and the CSG identity state contained in theSeNB adding request message is the same CSG identity state of the UE inthe CSG/hybrid cell of the MeNB. Or, under the situation that the modeof SeNB is a hybrid mode (except the situation that the MeNB is also anHeNB and has the same CSG ID as the SeNB), the UE can access the SeNBwith the default CSG identity state, herein the default CSG identitystate is a non-member identity, and the CSG identity state contained inthe SeNB adding request message is the same CSG identity state of the UEin the CSG/hybrid cell of the MeNB.

In step 803, the SeNB transmits an S1 message to the MME to request theMME to perform CSG access control and member identity verification todetermine whether the UE can access the SeNB or whether the UE accessesthe SeNB with an identity of a member or a non-member. The S1 messagemay be a newly-added S1 interface message such as a CSG member identityrequest message. The request message may contain a CSG ID, an accessmode, a PLMN identifier and a CSG identity state. Herein, the CSGidentity state may be a default identity state, or an identity statereported by the UE, or an identity state the same as the identity stateof the UE accessing the MeNB. Alternatively, the request message maycontain E-RAB information of the UE which is to be transferred to theSeNB, and E-RAB information of the UE is received from the MeNB, such asone or more E-RAB IDs.

In step 804, the MME judges whether the UE can access the CSG/hybridcell of the SeNB or whether the member identity is member or non-memberaccording to the CSG subscription information of the UE acquired fromthe HSS. Alternatively, the MME further performs the verification of theCSG ID and/or access mode to verify the validity of the CSG ID and/oraccess mode of the CSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB. In addition, the MME mayuse the CSG ID and the corresponding E-RAB information contained in thereceived request message for a purpose of subsequently charging. The MMEtransmits the verified CSG identity state information (which may becarried in a CSG member identity response message) of the UE to theSeNB. The CSG identity state information includes a CSG identity statewhich is a member or a non-member; or access allowance or disallowanceindication information; or compliance or incompliance indicationinformation, herein the compliance or incompliance indicationinformation indicates that the CSG identity state of the UE verified bythe MME is compliant or incompliant with the identity state in thereceived request message.

In step 805, the SeNB determines whether to accept the SeNB addingrequest according to the CSG identity state information received fromthe MME and/or the current load situation. If the SeNB adding request isaccepted, a resource reservation is made according to the E-RABinformation in the adding request and an SeNB adding requestacknowledgment message is transmitted to the MeNB, and the message maycontain air interface radio resource configuration information. The SeNBtransmits the CSG identity state received from the MME in step 804 tothe MeNB through the SeNB adding request acknowledgment message.

In step 806, after the MeNB receives the message, the MeNB instructs theUE to perform radio resource reconfiguration through RRC dedicatedsignaling and perform cell synchronization and random access with theSeNB. After the UE successfully completes the air interfacereconfiguration, the MeNB transmits an SeNB adding reconfigurationcompletion message to the SeNB. Alternatively, the SeNB adding requestacknowledgment message or the SeNB reconfiguration completion messagemay further contain updated UE-AMBR of the UE in the SeNB.

If user plane architecture 1A is adopted, the MeNB further needs toperform a user plane path update process, the MeNB transmits an E-RABmodification indication message or a path transfer request message tothe MME, and the message contains E-RAB information which is to betransferred to the SeNB.

In addition, under the situation that user plane architecture 1A or 3Cis adopted, if the message in step 803 does not contain the E-RABinformation of the UE which is to be transferred to the SeNB, the MeNBor the SeNB may transmit the E-RAB information and the corresponding CSGID to the MME through the S1 message, e.g., through the E-RABmodification indication message or the path transfer request message,herein the time for transmitting the message is not limited.

Embodiment 4

This embodiment describes a method for initiating CSG access control oridentity verification by an SeNB after the SeNB is added. FIG. 9 is aflowchart of the method provided by this embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the method provided by this embodiment includes the followingsteps:

In step 901, an MeNB determines to initiate an SeNB adding process for aUE based on an RRM measurement report of the UE. In this embodiment, theSeNB is an HeNB, and the RRM measurement report of the UE contains a CSGidentity state of the UE in a CSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB, or reports aPLMN ID list indicating that the UE has a member identity in theCSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB. The measurement report of the UE containsPCI/ECGI of the SeNB, the MeNB may know an access mode of the SeNBaccording to the PCI/ECGI, and the measurement report of the UE furthercontains CSG ID of a cell under the SeNB. If both the MeNB and the SeNBare hybrid or closed mode HeNBs and CSG IDs of the MeNB and the SeNB arethe same, the MeNB directly initiates the SeNB adding process and the UEaccesses the SeNB with the same CSG identity state of the UE in theCSG/hybrid cell of the MeNB. If the SeNB is a hybrid mode HeNB (exceptthe situation that the MeNB is also an HeNB and has the same CSG ID asthe SeNB), the MeNB determines that the UE can firstly access the SeNBwith the default CSG identity state or the CSG identity state reportedby the UE, and then a CSG member identity verification result isacquired from an MME.

In step 902, if the MeNB determines that the UE can access the SeNB, theMeNB transmits an SeNB adding request message to the SeNB, herein theSeNB adding request message at least contains a CSG identity state toindicate that the UE accesses the SeNB with an identity of a member or anon-member. The CSG identity state may be a default CSG identity state,or a CSG identity state which is the same as the CSG identity state ofthe UE in the CSG/hybrid cell of the MeNB, or a CSG identity statereported by the UE, herein the default CSG identity state is anon-member identity.

In step 903, the SeNB determines whether to accept the SeNB addingrequest, e.g., according to the current load situation. If the SeNBadding request is accepted, a resource reservation is made according tothe E-RAB information in the adding request and an SeNB adding requestacknowledgment message is transmitted to the MeNB, and the message maycontain air interface radio resource configuration information.

In step 904, if air interface configuration information change of the UEis involved, the MeNB transmits an RRC connection reconfigurationmessage to the UE to instruct the UE to perform air interfacereconfiguration. The UE performs cell synchronization and random accesswith the SeNB and performs air interface reconfiguration, and then anRRC reconfiguration completion message is replied to the MeNB. Then, theMeNB transmits an SeNB reconfiguration completion message to the SeNB toindicate that new radio air interface configuration has beensuccessfully completed.

In step 905, if data forwarding is needed, a corresponding dataforwarding process may be performed between the MeNB and the SeNB. TheMeNB transmits an E-RAB modification indication message (notes: othernewly-added S1 messages may also be adopted) to the MME to request theMME to perform a CSG check, i.e., CSG access control or member identityverification. Herein the message may include the following information:a CSG identifier, an access mode, a CSG identity state, a PLMN ID andbase station identifier information of the SeNB. Herein, the CSGidentity state is received by the SeNB in the message in step 902, i.e.,the CSG identity state may be a default CSG identity state, or a CSGidentity state reported by the UE or a CSG identity state which is thesame as the CSG identity state of the UE in the MeNB. If the user planearchitecture 1A is adopted, the message is used for user plane pathupdate and contains the E-RAB information which is to be transferred tothe SeNB.

In step 906, the MME judges whether the UE can access the CSG/hybridcell of the SeNB or whether the member identity is member or non-memberaccording to the CSG subscription information of the UE acquired fromthe HSS. Alternatively, the MME further performs the verification of theCSG ID and access mode to verify the validity of the CSG ID and/oraccess mode of the CSG/hybrid cell of the SeNB. In addition, after theMME receives the E-RAB modification indication message, the CSG ID andthe corresponding E-RAB information contained in the message may be usedfor a purpose of subsequently charging. The MME performs subsequentinteraction with the SGW and informs the SGW about S1-U tunnelinformation of the SeNB. Then, the MME transmits the verified CSGidentity state information of the UE to the SeNB through an E-RABmodification acknowledgement message. The CSG identity state informationincludes a CSG identity state which is a member or a non-member; oraccess allowance or disallowance indication information; or complianceor incompliance indication information, herein the compliance orincompliance indication information indicates that the CSG identitystate of the UE verified by the MME is compliant or incompliant with theidentity state in the received request message.

In step 907, if the CSG identity state received by the SeNB from the MMEis different from the identity state carried in the message in step 902,the CSG identity state of the UE in the SeNB is updated, and the CSGidentity state received from the MME in step 906 is transmitted to theMeNB. Alternatively, the message may further contain updated UE-AMBR forthe SeNB. After the MeNB receives the CSG identity state, the CSGidentity state of the UE in the SeNB is correspondingly updated.

Embodiment 5

This embodiment describes a method for initiating CSG access control oridentity verification by an MeNB under an SeNB change scenario before anSeNB is added. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the method provided by thisembodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the method provided by thisembodiment includes the following steps:

In step 1001, UE moves from a coverage range of an old SeNB to acoverage range of a new SeNB, or in consideration of offloading or loadbalancing, etc., an MeNB determines to initiate an SeNB change processfor the UE based on an RRM measurement report of the UE, i.e., deletingthe old SeNB and adding the new SeNB. In this embodiment, the new SeNBis an HeNB, and the RRM measurement report of the UE contains a CSGidentity state of the UE in a CSG/hybrid cell of the new SeNB, orreports a PLMN ID list indicating that the UE has a member identity inthe CSG/hybrid cell of the new SeNB. The measurement report of the UEcontains PCI/ECGI of the new SeNB, the MeNB may know an access mode ofthe new SeNB according to the PCI/ECGI, and the measurement report ofthe UE further contains CSG ID of a cell under the new SeNB. Deploymentof the MeNB, the old SeNB and the new SeNB may be divided into thefollowing several situations:

1) the MeNB/old SeNB is a macro eNB and the new SeNB is a hybrid orclosed mode HeNB;

2) the MeNB/old SeNB and the new SeNB are hybrid or closed mode HeNBs,and CSG IDs of the MeNB/old SeNB and the new SeNB are different, and

3) the MeNB/old SeNB and the new SeNB are hybrid or closed mode HeNBs,and CSG IDs of the MeNB/old SeNB and the new SeNB are the same.

Under the situation 1) or 2), the MME needs to perform CSG accesscontrol or member identity verification; and under the situation 3), theMeNB directly initiates the SeNB change process and the MME does notneed to perform the CSG access control or member identity verification,but the UE accesses the new SeNB with the same CSG identity state of theUE in the CSG/hybrid cell of the MeNB, i.e., subsequent steps 1002 and1003 are skipped.

In step 1002, if the MME needs to perform the CSG access control ormember identity verification, the MeNB needs to acquire the CSG identitystate of the UE in the CSG/hybrid cell of the new SeNB from the MME todetermine whether the UE can access the new SeNB or whether the UEaccesses the new SeNB with an identity of a member or a non-member. TheMeNB requests the MME to perform the CSG access control or memberidentity verification by transmitting an S1 message. The S1 message maybe a newly-added S1 interface message such as a CSG member identityrequest message. The request message may contain a CSG ID, an accessmode, a PLMN identifier, a CSG identity state and a base stationidentifier corresponding to the CSG ID. Herein, the CSG identity statemay be a CSG identity state reported by the UE, the CSG ID is a CSGidentifier of the CSG/hybrid cell of the new SeNB, and the access modeis the access mode of the new SeNB cell, may be hybrid or closed, or isindicated by the CSG or is a closed mode by default under the situationthat the access mode is not included. The base station identifiercorresponding to the CSG ID is the eNB ID of the new SeNB. In addition,the request message may contain E-RAB information of the UE which is tobe transferred to the new SeNB, such as one or more E-RAB IDs.

In step 1003, the MME judges whether the UE can access the CSG/hybridcell of the new SeNB or whether the member identity is a member or anon-member according to the CSG subscription information of the UEacquired from the HSS. Alternatively, the MME further performs theverification of the CSG ID and/or access mode to verify the validity ofthe CSG ID and/or access mode of the CSG/hybrid cell of the new SeNB. Ifthe request message received by the MME contains the E-RAB information,the MME may use the CSG ID and the corresponding E-RAB information for apurpose of subsequently charging. The MME transmits the verified CSGidentity state information of the UE to the MeNB through the S1 message(as a CSG member identity response message). The CSG identity stateinformation includes a CSG identity state which is a member or anon-member; or access allowance or disallowance indication information;or compliance or incompliance indication information, herein thecompliance or incompliance indication information indicates that the CSGidentity state of the UE verified by the MME is compliant or incompliantwith the identity state in the received request message.

In step 1004, the MeNB determines whether to add the new SeNB for the UEaccording to the received CSG identity state information. If the mode ofthe new SeNB cell is a closed mode and the CSG identity stateinformation indicates that the UE is a member in the CSG cell of the newSeNB or contains access allowance indication information, the new SeNBmay be added; and if the CSG identity state information indicates thatthe UE is a non-member in the CSG cell of the new SeNB or containsaccess disallowance indication information, the new SeNB is not added.If the mode of the new SeNB cell is a hybrid mode and the CSG identitystate information indicates that the UE is a member or a non-member inthe hybrid cell of the new SeNB, correspondingly the UE accesses the newSeNB with an identity of a member or a non-member. If the MeNBdetermines to perform the adding of the SeNB, an SeNB adding requestmessage is transmitted to the new SeNB and the message at least containsthe CSG identity state of the UE in the CSG/hybrid cell of the new SeNB.

In step 1005, the SeNB determines whether to accept the SeNB addingrequest, e.g., according to the current load situation. If the SeNBadding request is accepted, a resource reservation is made according tothe E-RAB information in the adding request and an SeNB adding requestacknowledgment message is transmitted to the MeNB, and the message maycontain air interface radio resource configuration information. Afterthe MeNB receives the message, the MeNB may perform a process ofsubsequent new SeNB adding and old SeNB deleting.

In addition, if the request message received by the MME in step 1002does not contain E-RAB information, the MeNB may transmit the CSG ID ofthe new SeNB and the corresponding E-RAB information of the UE to theMME through the S1 message for a purpose of subsequently charging afterthe SeNB change is completed, e.g., through an E-RAB modificationindication message.

It needs to be noted that the CSG access control or member identityverification may be initiated by the new SeNB instead of the MeNB. Thespecific flow may refer to the method flow in embodiment 3.

Embodiment 6

This embodiment describes a method for initiating CSG access control oridentity verification by an MeNB after an SeNB is changed. FIG. 11 is aflowchart of the method provided by this embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 11, the method provided by this embodiment includes the followingsteps:

In step 1101, UE moves from a coverage range of an old SeNB to acoverage range of a new SeNB, or in consideration of offloading or loadbalancing, etc., an MeNB determines to initiate an SeNB change processfor the UE based on an RRM measurement report of the UE, i.e., deletingthe old SeNB and adding the new SeNB. In this embodiment, the SeNB is anHeNB, and the RRM measurement report of the UE contains a CSG identitystate of the UE in a CSG/hybrid cell of the new SeNB, or reports a PLMNID list indicating that the UE has a member identity in the CSG/hybridcell of the new SeNB. The measurement report of the UE contains PCI/ECGIof the new SeNB, the MeNB may know an access mode of the new SeNBaccording to the PCI/ECGI, and the measurement report of the UE furthercontains CSG ID of a cell under the new SeNB. If the MeNB/old SeNB andthe new SeNB are hybrid or closed mode HeNBs and CSG IDs of the MeNB/oldSeNB and the new SeNB are the same, the MeNB directly initiates the SeNBchange process and the UE accesses the new SeNB with the same CSGidentity state of the UE in the CSG/hybrid cell of the MeNB/old SeNB. Ifthe new SeNB is a hybrid mode HeNB (except the situation that theMeNB/old SeNB is also an HeNB and has the same CSG ID as the new SeNB),the MeNB determines that the UE can firstly access the new SeNB with thedefault CSG identity state or the CSG identity state reported by the UE,and then a CSG member identity verification result is acquired from anMME.

In step 1102, if the MeNB determines that the UE can access the newSeNB, the MeNB transmits an SeNB adding request message to the new SeNB,herein the SeNB adding request message at least contains a CSG identitystate to indicate that the UE accesses the SeNB with an identity of amember or a non-member. The CSG identity state may be a default CSGidentity state, or a CSG identity state which is the same as the CSGidentity state of the UE in the CSG/hybrid cell of the MeNB/old SeNB, ora CSG identity state reported by the UE, herein the default CSG identitystate is a non-member identity.

In step 1103, the SeNB determines whether to accept the SeNB addingrequest, e.g., according to the current load situation. If the SeNBadding request is accepted, a resource reservation is made according tothe E-RAB information in the adding request and an SeNB adding requestacknowledgment message is transmitted to the MeNB, and the message maycontain air interface radio resource configuration information.

In step 1104, after the MeNB receives the message, the MeNB performs anold SeNB deleting process and instructs the UE through RRC dedicatedsignaling to perform radio resource configuration, and perform cellsynchronization and random access with the SeNB. After the RRCreconfiguration of the UE is successfully completed, an RRCreconfiguration completion message is transmitted to the MeNB. Then, theMeNB transmits an SeNB reconfiguration completion message to the MeNB.

In step 1105, the MeNB transmits an E-RAB modification indicationmessage to the MME, herein the message includes the E-RAB informationwhich is to be transferred to the new SeNB and the message may furtherthe following information: a CSG identifier, an access mode, a CSGidentity state, a PLMN ID and base station identifier information of theSeNB. Herein, the CSG identity state is received by the SeNB in themessage in step 1102, i.e., the CSG identity state may be a default CSGidentity state, or a CSG identity state reported by the UE or a CSGidentity state which is the same as the CSG identity state of the UE inthe MeNB/old SeNB.

In step 1106, the MME judges whether the UE can access the CSG/hybridcell of the new SeNB or whether the member identity is a member or anon-member according to the CSG subscription information of the UEacquired from the HSS. Alternatively, the MME further performs theverification of the CSG ID and access mode to verify the validity of theCSG ID and/or access mode of the CSG/hybrid cell of the new SeNB. Inaddition, after the MME receives the E-RAB modification indicationmessage, the CSG ID and the corresponding E-RAB information contained inthe message may be used for a purpose of subsequently charging. The MMEperforms subsequent interaction with the SGW and informs the SGW aboutS1-U tunnel information of the SeNB. Then, the MME transmits theverified CSG identity state information of the UE to the MeNB through anE-RAB modification acknowledgment message. The CSG identity stateinformation includes a CSG identity state which is a member or anon-member; or access allowance or disallowance indication information;or compliance or incompliance indication information, herein thecompliance or incompliance indication information indicates that the CSGidentity state of the UE verified by the MME is compliant or incompliantwith the identity state in the received request message.

In step 1107, if the CSG identity state received by the MeNB from theMME is different from the identity state carried in the message in step1102, the CSG identity state of the UE in the new SeNB is updated, andthe CSG identity state received from the MME in step 1106 is transmittedto the new SeNB. Specifically, the CSG identity state may be transmittedthrough an SeNB modification request message. Alternatively, the messagemay further contain updated UE-AMBR for the new SeNB. After the new SeNBreceives the CSG identity state, the CSG identity state of the UE in thenew SeNB is correspondingly updated.

It needs to be noted that the CSG access control or member identityverification may be initiated by the new SeNB instead of the MeNB. Thespecific flow may refer to the method flow in embodiment 4.

Corresponding to the method for controlling access of a CSG in adual-connection architecture provided by the embodiment of the presentinvention, the embodiment of the present invention further provides asystem for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connectionarchitecture, applied to a base station. As illustrated in FIG. 12, thesystem includes:

a communication module 10 configured to acquire CSG identity stateinformation of UE; and

a control module 20 configured to determine a CSG access policy of theUE according to the acquired CSG identity state information of the UE.

Preferably, the communication module 10 is configured to acquire the CSGidentity state information of the UE from an MME;

and/or acquire the CSG identity state information from the UE;

and/or self-determine the CSG identity state information of the UE.

Herein, acquiring the CSG identity state information of the UE from theMME includes:

the CSG identity state information of the UE transmitted by the MME isreceived through an S1 interface message, and herein the S1 interfacemessage is:

an E-RAB modification acknowledgment message;

or a path transfer request acknowledgment message;

or a newly-added S1 message.

Herein, the base station is an MeNB or an SeNB.

Preferably, the control module 20 is configured to:

determine whether the UE can access the SeNB according to the CSGidentity state information in the MeNB;

or determine whether the UE accesses the SeNB with an identity of amember or a non-member according to the CSG identity state informationin the MeNB;

or determine whether the UE can access the SeNB according to the CSGidentity state information in the SeNB;

or determine whether the UE accesses the SeNB with an identity of amember or a non-member according to the CSG identity state informationin the SeNB.

Preferably, the communication module 10 is configured to:

after the control module 20 in the MeNB determines that the UE canaccess the SeNB or the UE accesses the SeNB with an identity of a memberor a non-member according to the CSG identity state information,transmit the CSG identity state information to the SeNB by thecommunication module;

or, after the control module 20 in the SeNB determines that the UE canaccess the SeNB or the UE accesses the SeNB with an identity of a memberor a non-member according to the CSG identity state information,transmit the CSG identity state information to the MeNB by thecommunication module.

Preferably, the step of determining whether the UE can access the SeNBaccording to the CSG identity state information in the MeNB or SeNBfurther includes:

if the control module 20 in the MeNB determines that the UE can accessthe SeNB, an adding process of the SeNB is initiated;

or if the control module 20 in the MeNB determines that the UE cannotaccess the SeNB, the adding process of the SeNB is not initiated;

or if the control module 20 in the SeNB determines that the UE cannotaccess the SeNB, an SeNB adding request transmitted by the MeNB isrefused.

Herein, a message for the SeNB refusing the adding request contains acause value indicating that the SeNB refuses to be added or the CSGidentity state information of the UE.

The communication module 10 in the MeNB is further configured totransmit CSG related information to the SeNB in the adding process ofthe SeNB.

Transmitting the CSG related information to the SeNB in the addingprocess of the SeNB includes:

the CSG related information to the SeNB is transmitted through an SeNBadding request message of an X2 interface; and herein the CSG relatedinformation includes at least one of the following: a CSG identitystate, a CSG identifier and an access mode.

Preferably, the communication module 10 is further configured to:

before receiving the CSG identity state information of the UEtransmitted by the MME, transmit an S1 message to the MME to request theMME to transmit the CSG identity state information of the UE.

Preferably, the communication module 10 in the MeNB requests the MME totransmit the CSG identity state information of the UE before the SeNB isadded;

or the communication module 10 in the MeNB requests the MME to transmitthe CSG identity state information of the UE after the SeNB is added;

or the communication module 10 in the SeNB requests the MME to transmitthe CSG identity state information of the UE after receiving the SeNBadding request transmitted by the MeNB;

or the communication module 10 in the SeNB requests the MME to transmitthe CSG identity state information of the UE after the SeNB is added.

The S1 message is:

an E-RAB modification indication message;

or a path transfer request message;

or a newly-added S1 message.

The S1 message includes at least one of the following:

a CSG identifier, an access mode, a PLMN identifier, a CSG identitystate, an identifier of a base station corresponding to the CSGidentifier, E-RAB information and MeNB or SeNB indication information.

The PLMN identifier is a current serving PLMN identifier of the UE or aPLMN identifier selected by the UE under the SeNB.

The MeNB or SeNB indication information indicates that the base stationcorresponding to the CSG identifier is an MeNB or an SeNB.

Preferably, the communication module 10 is further configured totransmit the CSG identifier and associated information of a bearer ofthe UE to the MME, and herein the CSG identifier and the associatedinformation of the bearer of the UE include a CSG identifier andcorresponding bearer information of the UE accessing through a cellwhere the CSG is located.

The CSG identity state information includes:

a CSG identity state, herein the CSG identity state is a member or anon-member;

and/or access allowance or disallowance indication information;

and/or compliance or incompliance indication information, herein thecompliance or incompliance indication information indicates that the CSGidentity state of the UE verified by the MME is compliant or incompliantwith the CSG identity state received by the MME from the request messagetransmitted by the base station;

and/or a corresponding CSG identifier.

The CSG identity state is a default CSG identity state, or a CSGidentity state reported by the UE through an air interface, or a CSGidentity state which is the same as the CSG identity state of the UEaccessing the MeNB, or a CSG identity state transmitted by the MME andreceived by the base station.

Preferably, the MeNB and/or the SeNB may be an HeNB.

It needs to be stated that the communication module 10 may beimplemented through a communication function chip of the base stationand the control module 20 may be implemented through a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU), a Micro Processing Unit (MPU), a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP) or a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) of the basestation.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides acomputer-readable storage medium, and the storage medium includes agroup of computer-executable instructions which are used forimplementing the method for controlling access of a CSG in adual-connection architecture provided by the embodiment of the presentinvention.

In the embodiments provided by the present invention, it should beunderstood that the disclosed methods, apparatus and electronic devicesmay be implemented in other ways. The device embodiments described aboveare just exemplary. For example, the division of the units is just adivision based on logical functions and other division ways may beadopted during actual implementation, e.g., a plurality of units orcomponents may be combined or may be integrated in another system, orsome features may be neglected or not performed. In addition, thecoupling, direct coupling or communication connection between theillustrated or discussed components may be indirect coupling orcommunication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, andmay be electrical, mechanical or in other forms.

Units which are described above as discrete parts may be or may also notbe physically separated; parts illustrated as units may be or may alsonot be physical units, and not only can be located at the same position,but also can be distributed on a plurality of network units; and partialor all units may be selected according to the actual needs to realizethe purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, all function units in the embodiments of the presentinvention may be fully integrated in one processing unit and may also berespectively used as separate units, and two or more units may also beintegrated in one unit; and the integrated units may be implemented bymeans of hardware and may also be implemented by means of hardware andsoftware function units.

One skilled in the art can understand that all or partial steps forimplementing the above-mentioned method embodiments can be completed byrelevant hardware instructed by a program, and the program can be storedin a computer-readable storage medium, and when the program isperformed, the steps in the above-mentioned method embodiments areperformed; and the foresaid storage medium includes various mediumscapable of storing program codes, such as a mobile storage device, aRead-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk ora compact disk.

Or, in the embodiments of the present invention, if the integrated unitsare implemented by means of software function modules and are sold orused as independent products, the units may also be stored in acomputer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, thetechnical solution of the embodiments of the present inventionsubstantially or the portion which makes a contribution to the prior artmay be reflected by means of software product, the computer softwareproduct is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality ofinstructions which enable a computer device (which may be a personalcomputer, a server or a network device) to execute all or partial stepsof the method provided by each embodiment of the present invention. Theforesaid storage medium includes various mediums capable of storingprogram codes, such as a mobile storage device, a Read-Only Memory(ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or a compact disk.

The above-mentioned embodiments are just preferred embodiments but theprotection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Oneskilled in the art may easily conceive variation or replacement withinthe technical scope disclosed by the present invention, but suchvariation or replacement is included in the protection scope of thepresent invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the presentinvention shall be subjected to the protection scope of the claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

By implementing the embodiments of the present invention, under asituation that an HeNB is used for the dual-connection architecture, CSGaccess control or member identity verification functions can beguaranteed to be correctly implemented, such that the UE in thedual-connection architecture can access the HeNB with a correct CSGidentity.

1. A method for controlling access of a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) ina dual-connection architecture, comprising: a base station acquiring CSGidentity state information of a User Equipment (UE); and the basestation determining a CSG access policy of the UE according to theacquired CSG identity state information of the UE.
 2. The method forcontrolling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architecture accordingto claim 1, wherein the base station acquiring CSG identity stateinformation of a UE comprises: the base station acquiring the CSGidentity state information of the UE from a Mobile Management Entity(MME); and/or the base station acquiring the CSG identity stateinformation from the UE; and/or the base station self-determining theCSG identity state information of the UE.
 3. The method for controllingaccess of a CSG in a dual-connection architecture according to claim 2,wherein the base station acquiring the CSG identity state information ofthe UE from an MME comprises: the base station receiving the CSGidentity state information of the UE transmitted by the MME through anS1 interface message, and wherein the S1 interface message is: anEvolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) RadioAccess Bearer (E-RAB) modification acknowledgment message; or a pathtransfer request acknowledgment message; or a newly-added S1 message. 4.The method for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connectionarchitecture according to claim 1, wherein the base station is a MastereNB (MeNB) or a Secondary eNB (SeNB).
 5. The method for controllingaccess of a CSG in a dual-connection architecture according to claim 4,wherein the base station determining a CSG access policy of the UEaccording to the acquired CSG identity state information of the UEcomprises: the MeNB determining whether the UE can access the SeNBaccording to the CSG identity state information; or the MeNB determiningwhether the UE accesses the SeNB with an identity of a member or anon-member according to the CSG identity state information; or the SeNBdetermining whether the UE can access the SeNB according to the CSGidentity state information; or the SeNB determining whether the UEaccesses the SeNB with an identity of a member or a non-member accordingto the CSG identity state information.
 6. The method for controllingaccess of a CSG in a dual-connection architecture according to claim 5,wherein, after the MeNB determines that the UE can access the SeNB orthe UE accesses the SeNB with an identity of a member or a non-memberaccording to the CSG identity state information, the method furthercomprises: the MeNB transmitting the CSG identity state information tothe SeNB; or, after the SeNB determines that the UE can access the SeNBor the UE accesses the SeNB with an identity of a member or a non-memberaccording to the CSG identity state information, the method furthercomprises: the SeNB transmitting the CSG identity state information tothe MeNB.
 7. The method for controlling access of a CSG in adual-connection architecture according to claim 5, wherein the MeNB orSeNB determining whether the UE can access the SeNB according to the CSGidentity state information further comprises: if determining that the UEcan access the SeNB, the MeNB initiating an adding process of the SeNB;or if determining that the UE cannot access the SeNB, the MeNB notinitiating the adding process of the SeNB; or if determining that the UEcannot access the SeNB, the SeNB refusing an SeNB adding requesttransmitted by the MeNB.
 8. The method for controlling access of a CSGin a dual-connection architecture according to claim 7, wherein amessage for the SeNB refusing the adding request contains a cause valueindicating that the SeNB refuses to be added or the CSG identity stateinformation of the UE.
 9. The method for controlling access of a CSG ina dual-connection architecture according to claim 7, wherein the MeNBtransmits CSG related information to the SeNB in the adding process ofthe SeNB, and, wherein the MeNB transmitting CSG related information tothe SeNB in the adding process of the SeNB comprises: the MeNBtransmitting the CSG related information to the SeNB through an SeNBadding request message of an X2 interface: wherein the CSG relatedinformation comprises at least one of the following: a CSG identitystate, a CSG identifier and an access mode.
 10. (canceled)
 11. Themethod for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architectureaccording to claim 2, wherein, before the base station acquires the CSGidentity state information of the UE from the MME, the method furthercomprises: the base station transmitting an S1 message to the MME torequest the MME to transmit the CSG identity state information of theUE, and, wherein the method further comprises: the MeNB requesting theMME to transmit the CSG identity state information of the UE before theSeNB is added; or the MeNB requesting the MME to transmit the CSGidentity state information of the UE after the SeNB is added; or theSeNB requesting the MME to transmit the CSG identity state informationof the UE after receiving the SeNB adding request transmitted by theMeNB; or the SeNB requesting the MME to transmit the CSG identity stateinformation of the UE after the SeNB is added.
 12. (canceled)
 13. Themethod for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architectureaccording to claim 11, wherein the S1 message is: an Evolved-UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Radio Access Bearer (E-RAB)modification indication message; or a path transfer request message; ora newly-added S1 message.
 14. The method for controlling access of a CSGin a dual-connection architecture according to claim 11, wherein the S1message comprises at least one of the following: a CSG identifier, anaccess mode, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier, a CSGidentity state, an identifier of a base station corresponding to the CSGidentifier, E-RAB information, and MeNB or SeNB indication information,and, wherein the PLMN identifier is a current serving PLMN identifier ofthe UE or a PLMN identifier selected by the UE under the SeNB, and,wherein the MeNB or SeNB indication information indicates that the basestation corresponding to the CSG identifier is an MeNB or an SeNB. 15.(canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. The method for controlling access of a CSGin a dual-connection architecture according to claim 14, wherein themethod further comprises: the base station transmitting the CSGidentifier and associated information of a bearer of the UE to the MME,wherein the CSG identifier and the associated information of the bearerof the UE comprise a CSG identifier and corresponding bearer informationof the UE accessing through a cell where the CSG is located.
 18. Themethod for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architectureaccording to claim 11, wherein, before the base station acquires the CSGidentity state information of the UE, the method further comprises: theMME determining the CSG identity state information of the UE accordingto CSG subscription information of the UE; and/or the MME verifyingvalidity of the CSG identifier and/or the access mode in the S1 message.19. The method for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connectionarchitecture according to claim 2, wherein the CSG identity stateinformation comprises: a CSG identity state, wherein the CSG identitystate is a member or a non-member; and/or access allowance ordisallowance indication information; and/or compliance or incomplianceindication information, wherein the compliance or incomplianceindication information indicates that the CSG identity state of the UEverified by the MME is compliant or incompliant with the CSG identitystate received by the MME in the request message transmitted by the basestation; and/or a CSG identifier, and, wherein the CSG identity state isa default CSG identity state, or a CSG identity state reported by the UEthrough an air interface, or a CSG identity state which is the same asthe CSG identity state of the UE accessing the MeNB, or a CSG identitystate transmitted by the MME and received by the base station. 20.(canceled)
 21. The method for controlling access of a CSG in adual-connection architecture according to claim 2, wherein the MeNBand/or the SeNB is a Home eNB (HeNB).
 22. A system for controllingaccess of a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) in a dual-connectionarchitecture, applied to a base station, comprising: a communicationmodule configured to acquire CSG identity state information of a UserEquipment (UE); and a control module configured to determine a CSGaccess policy of the UE according to the acquired CSG identity stateinformation of the UE.
 23. The system for controlling access of a CSG ina dual-connection architecture according to claim 22, wherein thecommunication module is further configured to: acquire the CSG identitystate information of the UE from a Mobile Management Entity (MME);and/or acquire the CSG identity state information from the UE; and/orself-determine the CSG identity state information of the UE.
 24. Thesystem for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architectureaccording to claim 23, wherein acquiring the CSG identity stateinformation of the UE from the MME comprises: receiving the CSG identitystate information of the UE transmitted by the MME through an S1interface message, and wherein the S1 interface message is: anEvolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) RadioAccess Bearer (E-RAB) modification acknowledgment message; or a pathtransfer request acknowledgment message; or a newly-added S1 message.25. The system for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connectionarchitecture according to claim 24, wherein the base station is a MastereNB (MeNB) or a Secondary eNB (SeNB).
 26. The system for controllingaccess of a CSG in a dual-connection architecture according to claim 25,wherein the control module is further configured to: determine whetherthe UE can access the SeNB according to the CSG identity stateinformation in the MeNB; or determine whether the UE accesses the SeNBwith an identity of a member or a non-member according to the CSGidentity state information in the MeNB; or determine whether the UE canaccess the SeNB according to the CSG identity state information in theSeNB; or determine whether the UE accesses the SeNB with an identity ofa member or a non-member according to the CSG identity state informationin the SeNB.
 27. The system for controlling access of a CSG in adual-connection architecture according to claim 26, wherein thecommunication module is further configured to: after the control modulein the MeNB determines that the UE can access the SeNB or the UEaccesses the SeNB with an identity of a member or a non-member accordingto the CSG identity state information, transmit the CSG identity stateinformation to the SeNB; or, after the control module in the SeNBdetermines that the UE can access the SeNB or the UE accesses the SeNBwith an identity of a member or a non-member according to the CSGidentity state information, transmit the CSG identity state informationto the MeNB.
 28. The system for controlling access of a CSG in adual-connection architecture according to claim 26, wherein determiningwhether the UE can access the SeNB according to the CSG identity stateinformation in the MeNB or SeNB further comprises: if determining thatthe UE can access the SeNB, the control module in the MeNB initiating anadding process of the SeNB; or if determining that the UE cannot accessthe SeNB, the control module in the MeNB not initiating the addingprocess of the SeNB; or if determining that the UE cannot access theSeNB, the control module in the SeNB refusing an SeNB adding requesttransmitted by the MeNB.
 29. The system for controlling access of a CSGin a dual-connection architecture according to claim 28, wherein amessage for the SeNB refusing the adding request contains a cause valueindicating that the SeNB refuses to be added or the CSG identity stateinformation of the UE.
 30. The system for controlling access of a CSG ina dual-connection architecture according to claim 28, wherein thecommunication module in the MeNB is further configured to: transmit CSGrelated information to the SeNB in the adding process of the SeNB, and,wherein transmitting CSG related information to the SeNB in the addingprocess of the SeNB comprises: transmitting the CSG related informationto the SeNB through an SeNB adding request message of an X2 interface,wherein the CSG related information comprises at least one of thefollowing: a CSG identity state, a CSG identifier and an access mode.31. (canceled)
 32. The system for controlling access of a CSG in adual-connection architecture according to claim 23, wherein thecommunication module is further configured to, before receiving the CSGidentity state information of the UE transmitted by the MME, transmit anS1 message to the MME to request the MME to transmit the CSG identitystate information of the UE, and, wherein, the communication module inthe MeNB requests the MME to transmit the CSG identity state informationof the UE before the SeNB is added; or the communication module in theMeNB requests the MME to transmit the CSG identity state information ofthe UE after the SeNB is added; or the communication module in the SeNBrequests the MME to transmit the CSG identity state information of theUE after receiving the SeNB adding request transmitted by the MeNB; orthe communication module in the SeNB requests the MME to transmit theCSG identity state information of the UE after the SeNB is added. 33.(canceled)
 34. The system for controlling access of a CSG in adual-connection architecture according to claim 32, wherein the S1message is: an Evolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network(E-UTRAN) Radio Access Bearer (E-RAB) modification indication message;or a path transfer request message; or a newly-added S1 message.
 35. Thesystem for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architectureaccording to claim 32, wherein the S1 message comprises at least one ofthe following: a CSG identifier, an access mode, a Public Land MobileNetwork (PLMN) identifier, a CSG identity state, an identifier of a basestation corresponding to the CSG identifier, E-RAB information, and MeNBor SeNB indication information, and, wherein the PLMN identifier is acurrent serving PLMN identifier of the UE or a PLMN identifier selectedby the UE under the SeNB, and, wherein the MeNB or SeNB indicationinformation indicates that the base station corresponding to the CSGidentifier is an MeNB or an SeNB.
 36. (canceled)
 37. (canceled)
 38. Thesystem for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architectureaccording to claim 35, wherein the communication module is furtherconfigured to transmit the CSG identifier and associated information ofa bearer of the UE to the MME, and wherein the CSG identifier and theassociated information of the bearer of the UE comprise a CSG identifierand corresponding bearer information of the UE accessing through a cellwhere the CSG is located.
 39. The system for controlling access of a CSGin a dual-connection architecture according to claim 23, wherein the CSGidentity state information comprises: a CSG identity state, wherein theCSG identity state is a member or a non-member; and/or access allowanceor disallowance indication information; and/or compliance orincompliance indication information, wherein the compliance orincompliance indication information indicates that the CSG identitystate of the UE verified by the MME is compliant or incompliant with theCSG identity state received by the MME in the request messagetransmitted by the base station; and/or a corresponding CSG identifier,and, wherein the CSG identity state is a default CSG identity state, ora CSG identity state reported by the UE through an air interface, or aCSG identity state which is the same as the CSG identity state of the UEaccessing the MeNB, or a CSG identity state transmitted by the MME andreceived by the base station.
 40. (canceled)
 41. The system forcontrolling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architecture accordingto claim 23, wherein the MeNB and/or the SeNB is a Home eNB (HeNB). 42.A computer-readable storage medium, comprising a group ofcomputer-executable instructions which are used for implementing themethod for controlling access of a CSG in a dual-connection architectureaccording to claim 1.